ANCOP USA has launched a third project, known as the “Health Program.” This was announced by Tony Ventura, ANCOP USA President and CEO.

“Starting next year, in addition to the Child Sponsorship Program (CSP) and Community Development Program (CDP), ANCOP-USA projects will include the Health Program that will support the surgical mission of ANCOP Tekton in the Philippines,” Ventura announced.

It was clarified however that sending medical missions is not part of the ANCOP USA Health Program. Rather, the program will focus on raising funds and looking for donors of medicines and surgical instruments that will be sent to ANCOP Tekton, the donee institution in Manila. The funds and donated items will be turned over by ANCOP to CFC Give Kare, the implementor of the ANCOP health program. Give Kare regularly send surgical teams that treat patients around the Philippines.

The ANCOP Health Program also takes care of ANCOP scholars. One objective of the program is to ensure that ANCOP scholars in the Philippines are in excellent health.

On the whole, the Program aims to support and promote a culture of health consciousness in poor communities by advocating and implementing good health practices such as hygiene, nutrition and preventive health care, leading to a healthy lifestyle for the entire family.

Elizabeth Macaraeg, an active ANCOP USA volunteer and CFC leader in New Jersey, has been designated national coordinator of ANCOP U.S.A.’s Health Program. By ANCOP USA Communications

Mayor Frank Scarpitti of Markham, Ontario, Canada visited the CFC ANCOP Markham Village in Las Piñas City on January 17, 2012. His delegation included Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer; Councilor Alex Chiu and wife Alicia, with Christopher and Cherrie- Marie, their son and daughter. Susan Yao-Arkilander and Liang Tang of the Royal Bank of Canada were also part of the delegation.


Also joining the celebration were Pedro Chan, the Philippine Consul General in Toronto; Clemencio Montesa, Former Consul of Toronto; Jose Brilliantes, Undersecretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs; Brgy. Captain Manny Ochoa; CFC Chairman Ricky Cuenca; CFC ANCOP Chairman Joe Yamamoto; CFC ANCOP President Eric de los Reyes; and CFC Metro Manila South B Sector Head Romy Alfaro.

Rev. Fr. Glenn Infiesto blessed five finished houses that were then turned over t o the beneficiaries after a simple ribbon cutting ceremony. Thirty-one families are now living decently in Markham Village, with twenty more houses under construction. This is being made possible through the generosity and fund-raising drives of Markham Councilor Chiu and his wife Alice, and the committed efforts of local CFC members, the ANCOP team and the local government unit (LGU).

During the event, Alex and Alice issued a $10,000 check for the construction of a Multipurpose and Educational Center, much to the delight and gratitude of the residents. In his closing remarks, Eric de los Reyes, quoting Isaiah 25:4, thanked the visitors and all partners for being a “defense for the helpless and the needy in distress.”

For the Mayor of Markham, the visit was made more meaningful by the signing of sisterhood agreements with Paranaque City and Las Pinas City. The agreements were forged to foster cultural and economic exchange and cooperation between the cities.

The agreement with Paranaque was signed on January 17 between Paranaque City Mayor Florencio Bernabe and Mayor Scarpitti at the Paranaque City Hall while the agreement with Las Pinas City was signed on the same day with Vice Mayor Louie Bustamante. The sisterhood agreements were facilitated by Couples for Christ and ANCOP in Canada and the Philippines.  By Romy Medina

CFC ANCOP was launched during the Northeastern Luzon ANCOP Congress at the NIA Conference Hall in Cauayan, Isabela last January 22. Regional and provincial CFC leaders and ANCOP core teams from Isabela, Cagayan, Quirino, Kalinga, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya, attended the Congress. The ANCOP team was headed by ANCOP President Eric de los Reyes with his wife Carina, Rizal Ting, Rudy Lubis, Efren Tompong and Mark Tagalag.

 
ANCOP Leaders, from left: Elmer Cadiz, Rudy Lubis, Eric delos Reyes and Eric Ylagan

Read more: ANCOP Kicks Off Work with the Poor in Northeastern Luzon